Harry C. Mason was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 22, 1867.
[1][2] He lived in Ravenna, Sylvania, and Madison before returning to Cleveland in 1889.
[1] He studied law at night while working as a stenographer, and was admitted to the bar in 1891.
[1][2] He was re-elected in 1897, and during the 73rd General Assembly, 1898 and 1899, was chosen Speaker of the House by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans opposed to bossism.
[2] Mason was a Republican, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Sons of Veterans.